Sudhans (also known as Sudhozais) is one of the major Pothwari Punjabi tribes from the Poonch Division in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and Poonch district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly originating from Pashtun areas. History and particulars The tribe claims a distant Afghan ancestry. According to Syed Ali, Sudhans have a Pashtun descent and moved to the Poonch district of Kashmir region some centuries ago. Sudhans from Poonch considered themselves to be Sudhozai Pathans. Scholar Iffat Malik of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad writes: About 40,000–60,000 Sudhans were recruited and served in the British Indian Army during the First and Second World Wars. The Sadozai are a lineage of the Popalzai clan of the Abdali tribe of the ethnic Pashtun. The lineage takes its name from its ancestor, Sado Khan. Role in 1947 Poonch rebellion The Sudhan tribe has been described as "a main and martial tribe of dissident Poonch" by Christopher Snedden, a political analyst. Sardar Ibrahim Khan, a barrister, and politician of the Muslim Conference party, was among the Sudhan people who rose to significance in 1947 as a result of the campaign and later rebellion against the Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Khan led a significant faction of the Muslim Conference activists in their demands that Singh should join Pakistan rather than accede to India. Together with the Dhunds from Bagh, it was the Sudhans who were at the heart of this campaign. The rebels were directed by the Pakistan Army, and with the support of Pashtun tribal lashkars sent in from the Khyber and Waziristan tribal agencies, they were able to 'liberate' a portion of the state, called Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir). Azad Kashmir has been under the control Pakistan ever since. 1955 Poonch Uprising Sudhans played an immense role in the 1955 Poonch rebellion, who revolted against the appointment of Sher Ahmed Khan and dismissal of Sardar Ibrahim Khan. The violent anti government protestors demanded regional autonomy, especially in the administration and for budgets. 1837 Poonch Revolt In 1837, after Hari Singh Nalwa's death in the Battle of Jamrud, the Sudhan tribe of Poonch, together with other tribes and Pahari speaking people, rose in revolt in Poonch. The insurgency was led by Shams Khan, a Chief of the Sudhan tribe and former confidential follower of Dhian Singh. Thus the betrayal of Shams Khan Sudhan against the regime was taken personally and